The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-03-04
Peculiarlties OF Iceland.

The agricultural products of Iceland are
few. The entire island is said to contain but
one full grown tree, mountain ash. There
is, indeed, a forest but the trees ofthis forest
of willows and birch rarely reach an eleva-
tion of more than three or four feet
The Icelander is rarely profane or god
less parsonage. On the contrary, he is char
acterislically religious character. The
finest building in Ragkiavik is the prison,
but it waits in vain for an inmate.
This city has smooth, toerably broad streets
ofvolcanic sand and gravel, with tagged side.
walks; square wooden houses; merchants
storehouses, without signs, yet generally
thronged with people; and in the summer
| season, little gardens Of cauliflower, radishes
and turnips may be seen, and in the windows,
beneath the white curtains, pots of geranium,
| mignonette and roses.
The original government of Iceland was
| independent and patriarchal The chiefs
who emigrated from Norway, formed an
| Allhing or Assembly, rather to conserve their
| own class interests than those of the people.
Gradually the native independence of the
island was lost The encroachments, first of
Norway, then of Denmark, increased until,
| In 1860, Iceland was a mere dependence, the
| absolute monopoly both of its political offices
and of its profitable trade being controlled by
Danes.
Since 1916 an agitation was maintained 10
| secure constitutional government and this
at last succeeded. The Altbing, answering
to our Congress, is vested with the legislative
| authority; the executive is q governor ap-
pointed by the king.
The great lava plain of Thing valla Tor In
lcelandic, Thing oetlir) is the place where the
Athing held it's sessions for over 800 years.
This plain is rent by deep, tremendous fis-
To
south. One of these, on the eastern edge of
The valley, forms almost an island, attached
to the main mass ofrock by narrow, natural
bridge. II is about three hundred yards long,
but not more than 90 or 70 feet wide at the
broadcast part
The summit is uneven, rising as you ap-
proach the further end, until its Jagged pin
nacles look down on either side into chasms
100 feet deep, where dark mysterious, indi-
go-colored water flows onward, whence or
WHITTIER no one can tell. The character of
the place is more than savage; it is dabolical
Here the Althing held its meetings, inclos
ed at first only by a circle of the halzelsticks,
bound with sacred cords, or fillets. Later
but not till 1890, wall of blocks of lava was
erected, and roof of canvas stretched over
IL 10 protect the legislators from the ince-
mency of the weather. But these were de-
generate times of effeminacy and luxury.
There is a mingled dignity and simplicity
in these children of the North, the good peo-
pie of this ancient land. They are hospita-
BILE, but reserved full of emotion, but quiet
in their demonstration of it.
The Gothic blood, which manifests in ways
less pleasing similar characteristics in Spain
and Sweden, shows itself here. Such men
will take your pay and serve you faithfully,
but you must never forget to treat them as
equals. Bayard Taylor once offered an Ice
lander who guided him to house, piece of
money. He laughed as if it were good joke,
and ran away.
The old national costume is original and
graceful. For the women, 1t consists OF a
white helmet of a curious pattern, the horn
curving over in front, six inches above the
head, the base richly embroidered with gold,
and white veil thrown over all and floating
over the shoulders. They have also closely
fitting jackets of dark cloth, heavily braided
with gold or silver, and broad belts of silver
filigree work, and home-spun gowns.
The genuine 1celandic costume for a man
consists OF jacket and knee breeches, a dark
gray home.spun cloth, stockings of the same
cloth, sealskin shoes, and round hat with
the brim turned up. The only ornament is
bow of red ribbon at the knee.